1912 White Model 60

Thomas White was a sewing machine manufacturer from Cleveland, Ohio, and an early owner of a steam car. The vehicle was unreliable, but improvements made by his son Rollin, and with support from his brothers, convinced their father to let them use part of the family's plant to build cars. Beginning in 1900, the White Company built steam-powered vehicles, and by 1911 were producing four- and six-cylinder internal combustion cars. By 1917, the company had branched out into the truck-building business and just a few cars were being made by special order. These 'specials' were built until 1936. The White Company made trucks until 1980 after absorbing both Autocar and REO.

White cars employed hard maple wood frames clothed with lightweight aluminum bodies. The '60' Model GF was equipped with a six-cylinder long-stroke engine delivering 60 horsepower. The engine was backed by a four-speed transmission and used an 18-volt electric starter. The original cost was approximately $5,000.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021